Waynesville man found guilty in the murder of 15-month-old

Rolla— Waynesville resident Ryan N. Evans , 29, was found guilty of second degree murder and child abuse resulting in death on Oct. 4.

Evans was charged in the 2006 death of 15-month-old Skyler Barrett, who was living with his mother Dasha and Evans when he died on Oct. 23, 2006.and was arrested May 9, 2007.

Under questioning by Prosecutor Susan Boresi, St. Louis medical examiner Dr. Mary Case said the injuries, in her opinion, caused Skyler's death and were made by "a very forceful impact."

During the trial, Nick Barrett (Skyler's father), Jeff and Tricia Barrett (grandparents), and Robert and Linda Myers (grandparents) all testified that they had spent much time with Skyler, and that he never showed any bruises, bleeding or other injuries until he started living with Dasha and Ryan Evans in Waynesville, starting when Dasha moved back to Missouri from Indiana in August 2006.

Evans denied he hit the child and now faces prison terms of 10 to 30 years for both second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.

The trial was moved to Phelps County on a change of venue on June 17, 2011.Jurors will return Friday morning for sentencing.